Default Gateway

 In simple terms, a default gateway is like the "front door" of your computer's network.

• Your local network: Imagine your home or office as a small neighborhood. Your computer, phone, and other devices are like houses within this neighborhood.

• The internet: The internet is like the entire city outside your neighborhood.

• Default gateway: Your router acts as the default gateway. It's the bridge between your local network and the rest of the internet.   

How it works:

1. When you want to access something outside your local network (like a website), your computer sends the request to the default gateway (your router).

      

2. The router then forwards the request through the internet to the destination (the website's server).

3. The response from the server travels back through the router and then to your computer.

Key points:

• Usually your router's IP address: The default gateway is typically the IP address of your router.

• Essential for internet access: Without a properly configured default gateway, your devices won't be able to connect to the internet.   

• Routing traffic: It directs network traffic between your local network and other networks.   

In essence, the default gateway is a crucial component of your network that enables communication between your devices and the rest of the internet.